Lens module for imaging device, and method for producing lens module

Abstract

The imaging-device lens module includes a lens and a spacer. The lens includes a functioning portion, a non-functioning portion, and a support. The non-functioning portion is disposed around the periphery of, and is integral with, the functioning portion. The support is integral with the non-the functioning portion and supports the lens. The spacer has a flat top face, and the support has a flat bottom face. The spacer is bonded at the top face to the bottom face to support the lens. The top face has a width B, and the bottom face has a width A, where B is greater than A. The support has a height L1, the spacer has a height L2, and the functioning portion has a diameter D, where the total of L1 and L2 is greater than D, and where the diameter D is equal to or greater than the height L1.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A lens module for imaging devices, comprising:
 a lens; 
 a spacer; and 
 a substrate equipped with a photodetector, 
 the lens comprising:
 a functioning portion that functions as a lens; 
 a non-functioning portion that is disposed around the periphery of the functioning portion and is integral with the functioning portion; and 
 a support that is integral with the non-functioning portion and supports the lens, 
 
 the spacer being disposed on the substrate around the photodetector, 
 the spacer having a flat top face, the support of the lens having a flat bottom face, and the spacer being bonded at the top face to the bottom face of the support of the lens to support the lens, 
 the top face of the spacer having a width greater than a width of the bottom face of the support, 
 the lens having a height L 1  as a dimension from the bottom face of the support to a lowermost end of the non-functioning portion, the spacer having a height L 2 , the functioning portion having a diameter D, where the total of L 1  and L 2  is greater than D, and where D is equal to or greater than L 1 , 
 wherein L 1 , L 2 , and D meet the condition (L 1 +L 2 )/D>1.3. 
 
     
     
       2. The lens module according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the spacer is disposed outside a space defined by: 
 an imaginary surface defined by connecting between the periphery of the functioning portion and a periphery of the photodetector; 
 a bottom face of the functioning portion; and 
 a top face of the substrate. 
 
     
     
       3. The lens module according to  claim 2 ,
 wherein the total of L 1  and L 2  is 0.5 to 20 mm. 
 
     
     
       4. The lens module according to  claim 2 ,
 wherein the spacer has a tapered space in a central region. 
 
     
     
       5. The lens module according to  claim 4 ,
 wherein the top face of the spacer has an area larger than the area of the bottom face of the support. 
 
     
     
       6. The lens module according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the spacer has a tapered space in a central region. 
 
     
     
       7. The lens module according to  claim 6 ,
 wherein the tapered space has such a shape that the top or bottom of the space is opened vertically, or opened so as to have a larger horizontal cross-sectional area. 
 
     
     
       8. The lens module according to  claim 6 ,
 wherein the total of L 1  and L 2  is 0.5 to 20 mm. 
 
     
     
       9. The lens module according to  claim 8 ,
 wherein the top face of the spacer has an area larger than the area of the bottom face of the support. 
 
     
     
       10. A method for producing the lens module according to  claim 1 , the method comprising
 forming the lens and the spacer each by imprint molding. 
 
     
     
       11. The method for producing the lens module according to  claim 10 ,
 wherein the lens is produced by integrally molding or forming the functioning portion, the non-functioning portion, and the support. 
 
     
     
       12. The lens module according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the total of L 1  and L 2  is 0.5 to 20 mm. 
 
     
     
       13. The lens module according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the lens and the spacer is each independently made from an epoxy resin. 
 
     
     
       14. The lens module according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the top face of the spacer and the bottom face of the support are horizontal planes. 
 
     
     
       15. The lens module according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the top face of the spacer has an area larger than the area of the bottom face of the support. 
 
     
     
       16. The lens module according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein L 1  and D meet the condition Ll/D≤0.8. 
 
     
     
       17. A lens module for imaging devices, comprising:
 a lens; 
 a spacer; and 
 a substrate equipped with a photodetector, 
 the lens comprising:
 a functioning portion that functions as a lens; 
 a non-functioning portion that is disposed around the periphery of the functioning portion and is integral with the functioning portion; and 
 a support that is integral with the non-functioning portion and supports the lens, 
 
 the spacer being disposed on the substrate around the photodetector, 
 the spacer having a flat top face, the support of the lens having a flat bottom face, and the spacer being bonded at the top face to the bottom face of the support of the lens to support the lens, 
 the top face of the spacer having a width greater than a width of the bottom face of the support, 
 the lens having a height L 1  as a dimension from the bottom face of the support to a lowermost end of the non-functioning portion, the spacer having a height L 2 , the functioning portion having a diameter D, where the total of L 1  and L 2  is greater than D, and where D is equal to or greater than Ll, wherein 
 the spacer is disposed outside a space defined by:
 an imaginary surface defined by connecting between the periphery of the functioning portion and a periphery of the photodetector; 
 a bottom face of the functioning portion; and 
 a top face of the substrate, 
 
 the spacer has a tapered space in a central region, and the tapered space having such a shape that the top or bottom of the space is opened vertically, or opened so as to have a larger horizontal cross-sectional area, 
 the total of L 1  and L 2  is 0.5 to 20 mm, 
 L 1 , L 2 , and D meet the condition (L 1 +L 2 )/D>1.3, 
 L 1  and D meet the condition L 1 /D≤0.8, 
 the lens and the spacer is each independently made from an epoxy resin, 
 the top face of the spacer and the bottom face of the support are horizontal planes, and 
 the top face of the spacer has an area larger than the area of the bottom face of the support.